Welcome to Future Transport Tasmania

We are here to lobby for better public transport and rail infrastructure in Tasmania. We aim to find solutions to allow all Tasmanians to have environmentally responsible and affordable commuting options to get around our state and towns. A more detailed mission statement can be found in the left column or <here>.

Find our articles below, starting with the most recent ones first:

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Car vs Bus

A great letter from Metro Tasmania CEO Heather Haselgrove in today's Mercury.

She writes in response to a letter by a member of the public claiming it is cheaper to travel by car from Kingston to Hobart.

(letter abridged)

"As the writer says, comparisons need to count all the costs as accurately as possible. When you use a Greencard, the cost of a Metro full adult fare for the weekly return trip from Kingston reduces to $36.80, due to the 25 percent bonus credit you receive.Independent information available from the RACT shows that the weekly cost of driving a car from Kingston to Hobart and return is significantly higher. Based on the RACT information, to the (MOP's) estimated average of $21 a week for fuel, you must add $2 per week for tyres, $6 per week for annual service and $39 per week for registration, insurance and stamp duty. That comes to a total of $68 per week. On top of that, many would need to add about $40 per week for parking.

Presently services from Kingston during the peak commuting times of 7.10am until 8.30am run about every seven or eight minutes. In the evenings, services from Hobart to Kingston run about every 15 minutes. I think this clearly demonstrates that, both in terms of cost and convenience, the Metro service is miles ahead.

Of course we always strive to do things better and Metro will soon take posession of four new buses which will help improve the quality of services and address any overcrowding."

Heather Haselgrove

CEO, Metro Tasmania

So as the lady says, catching the bus could save you plenty of dollars!

To lobby for and promote rail transport as a preferred option for bulk and intermodal freight

To lobby for and promote improvement and expansion of Tasmania’s rail infrastructure and network

-The retention of the Bridgewater to Hobart line- The reopening of various other lines eg. Derwent Valley, Wiltshire, Smithton and Scottsdale

To lobby for transport solutions to be integrated into urban and regional planning

PRIMARY RATIONALE

Climate change demands action, increased public transport services are inherent to this response

Increasing oil costs, together with the reality of Peak Oil will ensure that significant improvements to public transport services, with a much wider range of options, is necessary in the near future

Economic efficiency –assisting business and providing jobs

Equity and accessibility

Improved air quality and matching Tasmania’s Clean and Green brand

Addressing unsustainable traffic congestion

Removing discrimination –improving access to public transport for the disabled, elderly people and parents

More closely knit and cohesive communities;-eg. Neighbours who catch the same bus are much more likely to talk to one another in comparison to those who drive themselves to work

The notion that public transport systems or indeed a publicly owned rail system have to pay their own way is potentially counterproductive to the aim of such a system-Were Hobart’s old tram and suburban rail systems closed due to lack of patronage, or running costs?

Current demand is not relative to future use, simply because of the lack of current transport alternatives

Rail transport is potentially far more efficient than road, and has multiple benefits alongside decreasing carbon emissions, including;-significantly decreased road maintenance costs-potentially decreased road toll and associated costs relating to heavy vehicle crashes-Tasmania’s rail network was constructed in the 19th century and has to compete with a 20th century highway

MORE ABOUT US

Until now there has been no community-based group advocating public and rail transport. We are here to fill this gap and provide a voice for these issues in the public arena.

We mean business and will work as vigorously as any corporate lobby group does, except that unlike some we want to hear public opinion.

Membership of FTT is open to any person who wishes to be a part of it.

We are not affiliated with any political party. We welcome discussion of our agenda and ideas with anyone, and we hope to have discussions with all three major political parties in Tasmania about these issues.

Tasmania is currently re-defining itself. As part of this process of change and growth, in a vision of sustainability and progress, transport infrastructure is a vital part of nation (and state) building. Future Transport Tasmania aims to bring this vision of the future into today’s public debate.

For further information and comment:Toby Rowallan (Secretary) 0418 997 069Email: